WordRidden

I spent a week in the Scottish Highlands, in a tiny village called Glenelg. It was absolutely blissful. The drive up from Glasgow was stunning: along Loch Lomond, through Glencoe to Fort William, then on to Loch Lochy and Shiel Bridge, over Mam Ratagan and down into Glenelg. I got to explore the beautiful lochs and Iron Age forts near Glenelg and spend a day on the amazing Isle of Skye. The people were friendly, the scenery was breathtaking, and the weather changed every five minutes – just like you’d expect in Scotland. I would go back in a heartbeat.

I’ve never been to Tuscany, but as soon as I get my chance, I absolutely must go to San Gimignano. The pictures I’ve seen of it look amazing: red roofs, medieval towers, and a jumble winding streets, all surrounded by the beautiful Tuscan countryside…

Key West has got great atmosphere. It was swelteringly hot while I was there, but a frosty Key limeade (in the afternoon) or mojito (in the evening) will cool you right down. There are some beautiful houses, excellent restaurants, lots of cats and chickens(!), and a fun, tropical vibe. I’d definitely take another trip back to the Conch Republic. The drive through the Keys alone is great.

St. Augustine is a great town – it’s got loads of history and colonial character. Don’t miss the Colonial Spanish Quarter, DeNoel’s French Pastry Shop, Cafe 11 – and, of course, the clean, quiet beaches.

Alaska is probably the most pristinely beautiful place I’ve ever seen. It’s so majestic and amazing that it’s hard to put into words. Electric blue glaciers, glittering northern lights, breaching whales, soaring eagles, mountains plunging into icy waters – and lots of great seafood (try the Twisted Fish in Juneau) and strong coffee (I particularly recommend the Backdoor Cafe in Sitka). If the opportunity arises to go to Alaska, don’t pass it up.

The Dingle Peninsula is one of my favorite places. I love how the clouds sweep across the water and the rocks so that the light is always changing, and how there are ancient ruins and amazing vistas everywhere you turn. I highly, highly recommend taking a trip around the peninsula – ideally listening to Irish traditional music as you go.

Standing on the cliffs of the Aran Islands is like standing at the ends of the Earth. Even the largest of the islands (Inis Mor) is tiny, but when you wander around the endless rocky fields and hear the wind howling and the waves crashing, you feel like you could be lost forever in that lonely landscape. If you’re into that sort of thing (and I definitely am!), the Aran Islands are absolutely fantastic.